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Sunday 18 May 2014

The solution to East Devon's housing crisis? Build on the green belt

Everywhere in the UK, house prices are rising - as is pressure to build more housing:
Futures Forum: "House prices in Britain are around 30% too high" >> "The solution to the UK housing crisis? Build on the green belt"

In East Devon, too, there is growing pressure to build, 
whether at the western end of the District:
Futures Forum: "The new build for the western growth area of the district will provide much-needed business and employment for the young families as they set up new homes."
or in village of Feniton:
Futures Forum: Feniton, development and scaremongering
Futures Forum: “The village of Feniton has been targeted by speculators seeking housing developments” - but the Inspector has now rejected most of these...
or between Seaton and Colyford:
Futures Forum: Green Belts: the Seaton-Colyford 'green wedge'
Futures Forum: Green Belts: the Seaton-Colyford 'green wedge'... "The shortfall in housing land supply is not so severe..."

Developers have made their intentions very clear:
‘Let us build on your green belt’ - News - Sidmouth Herald
Developer targets Sidmouth’s green belt - News - Sidmouth Herald

The pressure continues:


LYME REGIS: Plans for 350 homes on outskirts of town
MEETING HOUSING NEEDS OF LYME AND UPLYME SAY DEVELOPERS


by Philip Evans 
30th April 2014

PLANS for 350 new homes on the outskirts of Lyme Regis have been unveiled.

A development company, Hallam Land Management Limited (HML), staged an exhibition of provisional plans for the development on agricultural land adjacent to Sidmouth Road, in the parish of Uplyme, owned by landowner and farmer George Allhusen of nearby Pinhay House.

Plans have yet to go before East Devon Council, but the Bristol-based firm contends that the development of family homes will meet the foreseeable housing needs for both Lyme and Uplyme.

The 42-acre site runs alongside the A3052 from Stile Lane to Gore Lane, taking in the existing Sidmouth Road park and ride which would be resited if planning approval was obtained.

The plans, unveiled at a public exhibition in the Woodmead Halls on Thursday of last week, included a vehicular access from Sidmouth Road, provision for sports pitches, an open space, a new woodland and allotments.

No consultation

The exhibition attracted a great deal of interest with councillors from East Devon, including district council leader Paul Diviani and local member Ian Thomas, and councillors from West Dorset District Council, Lyme Regis Town Council and Uplyme Parish Council, some of whom were angry that they had not been consulted before, in attendance.

The site is within an area of outstanding natural beauty but outside the settlement boundary in East Devon District Council’s Local Plan, which is currently under review. The development would accommodate up to 350 new homes. Whilst the exact mix of housing would be determined at the detailed design stage, it is anticipated this will comprise a variety of one to five bedroom homes which could include starter homes, family homes and retirement living.

The development will also include a proportion of affordable housing, say the developers.

A statement from HLM said: “It is anticipated that the detailed design of new homes and buildings will embrace local character which will help the development relate to its setting. The guiding principle will be to deliver a residential environment of attractive well-designed homes, streets and green space to create an enduring and desirable place in which to live.”

On the question of the impact additional traffic generated by the development might have, the developers said an assessment had concluded that whilst there would be an inevitable increase in traffic, the local network could accommodate this increase and “no significant adverse effects will occur”

Full details of the application have been published on the Trinity Matters website of Councillor Ian Thomas, district councillor for the Trinity Ward which includes Uplyme and nearby Compyne Rousdon.


View From Online - News from West Dorset, East Devon & South Somerset

And for Ottery St Mary:


Homes planned for allotment site


Early Redrow plans on how a development on the allotment field could look. The proposed site for new plots is on the right.

Harvey Gavin Wednesday, May 14, 2014

A developer has revealed proposals for a new housing scheme on Ottery’s allotments.

Provisional drawings being used by Redrow, who are in the process of building 130 homes in the north of the town, show an extension of their Butts Road development on to the allotment field with an additional 33 houses.

The developer owns the allotment land and leases it back to the town, and, in December, civic leaders met with the Redrow to discuss a renewal of the lease which expires at the end of 2014.

But during the talks, Redrow expressed an interest in building on the land, and last week, representatives from the developer met with the mayor and members of the allotment committee to discuss early plans for replacement plots on land adjacent to the current field.

“We looked at the plan and suggested some things that we’d like changed,” said Carl Richmond, allotment committee chairman. “But it is at an early stage at the moment. We just hope that if they do build there, there will be an agreement for new allotments.”

He added that the developer had invited them to visit Budleigh Salterton in the coming weeks to see first-hand an example of new allotments that have been provided as part of a housing development.

Although no formal application has been made, Lee Hawker, land director for Redrow South West, has previously said that any proposal from the developer would come with the condition that the same number of plots be provided elsewhere. He also said that they would be willing to gift the new field to the town - which could safeguard the site for the future.

Any application submitted by the developer would have to be considered by Ottery Town Council before a decision is made by East Devon District Council.

Homes planned for allotment site - News - Sidmouth Herald

This application for Newton Poppleford was passed last Thursday by the District's planning committee:


Newton Pop homes plan recommended for approval

Newton Poppleford area for proposed development of 40 houses. 
Picture by Alex Walton. 

Harvey Gavin Tuesday, May 6, 2014

A controversial development of 40 new homes in Newton Poppleford looks set to be given the go-ahead for the second time - just weeks after a legal challenge by campaigners had the original application overturned.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) planning officers have recommended that a re-submitted application for land south of King Alfred Way be approved.

Permission was originally granted for the scheme, which includes a new doctors’ surgery and 40 per cent ‘affordable’ housing, by EDDC in September last year.

But following the threat of High Court action by village residents, the authority agreed to overturn the decision – acknowledging that too much weight had been given to the promise of the health centre when considering the proposal.

Newton Poppleford has been allocated 40 new homes in the emerging East Devon Local Plan - a blueprint for development in the region until 2026 - and if approved, the scheme could fill the village’s quota in one go. The application will be considered by EDDC’s planning committee on May 8.


Newton Pop homes plan recommended for approval - News - Sidmouth Herald

See also:
Futures Forum: Greenfield and Brownfield
Futures Forum: Greenfield vs Brownfield: part two
Futures Forum: The NPPF under pressure: building houses on green space
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